Adaptive interface controller that can operate with segments of different protocol and transmission rates in a single integrated device
First Claim
1. A communication apparatus for enabling communication between a first device operable with Manchester encoded data and a second device operable with serial bit stream data, comprising:
- a first interface receiving a first clock signal for coupling to the first device;
a second interface receiving a second clock signal for coupling to the second device;
a first-in, first out (FIFO) memory coupled to said second interface that includes enough serial data bits deep to prevent data loss in spite of timing variations between said first and second clock signals during transmission of a predetermined plurality of data bits between said first and second interfaces and that includes a valid bit for each data bit; and
a Manchester conversion device coupled to said FIFO and said first interface that converts data between Manchester encoded format and a data format suitable for storage in said FIFO.
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Abstract
An adaptive interface controller including a plurality of MII ports operable at either one of the first and second transmission rates, a corresponding plurality of Manchester ports operable at the first transmission rate and an MII interface operable at the second transmission rate. The adaptive interface controller includes first select logic that provides data from an active one of the MII ports for one of the Manchester ports or to the MII interface depending upon the transmission rate. Manchester encoding logic is provided to receive data from the first select logic for an active port, to convert the data to Manchester format and to provide the encoded data to a corresponding one of the Manchester ports. Second select logic provides data transmitted to the MII interface for a selected one of the MII ports. Manchester decoding logic detects Manchester encoded data transmitted to any of the Manchester ports and converts the encoded data a serial to bit stream. Third select logic provides received data from either one of the Manchester decoding logic and the second logic to a corresponding one of the MII ports. The encoding and decoding logic are part of communication apparatus which includes respective FIFO memories that each include enough data bits deep to prevent data loss in spite of timing variations between different clock signals during transmission of data bits. Each FIFO also includes a valid bit for each data bit to identify the extents of transferred packets.
195 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A communication apparatus for enabling communication between a first device operable with Manchester encoded data and a second device operable with serial bit stream data, comprising:
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a first interface receiving a first clock signal for coupling to the first device; a second interface receiving a second clock signal for coupling to the second device; a first-in, first out (FIFO) memory coupled to said second interface that includes enough serial data bits deep to prevent data loss in spite of timing variations between said first and second clock signals during transmission of a predetermined plurality of data bits between said first and second interfaces and that includes a valid bit for each data bit; and a Manchester conversion device coupled to said FIFO and said first interface that converts data between Manchester encoded format and a data format suitable for storage in said FIFO. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An adaptive interface controller, comprising:
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a plurality of media independent interface (MII) ports operable at one of first and second transmission rates; a plurality of Manchester ports operable at said first transmission rate; an MII interface operable at said second transmission rate; first select logic receiving a plurality of link signals indicative of activity on a corresponding one of said plurality of MII ports and corresponding rate signals indicative of transmission rate, wherein said first select logic provides data from an active one of said plurality of MII ports for a corresponding one of said plurality of Manchester ports if a corresponding rate signal indicates said first transmission rate and that provides data from said active one of said plurality of MII ports to said MII interface if said corresponding rate signal indicates said second transmission rate; Manchester encoding logic coupled to said plurality of Manchester ports that receives data from said first select logic for an active port, that converts received data to Manchester format and that provides Manchester encoded data to a corresponding one of said plurality of Manchester ports; second select logic that provides data transmitted to said MII interface for said one of said plurality of MII ports; Manchester decoding logic coupled to said plurality of Manchester ports that detects Manchester data transmitted to any of said plurality of Manchester ports and that converts received Manchester encoded data to bit stream serial data; and third select logic coupled to said second select logic and said Manchester decoding logic that receives said plurality of link signals and that provides received data from either one of said Manchester decoding logic and said second logic to a corresponding one of said plurality of MII ports. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A multiple port adaptive network unit for transferring data between a plurality of network devices, the repeater unit comprising:
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a plurality of ports, each operable at one of first and second transmission rates and including transmission rate negotiation logic that detects the rate of a coupled network device; a first module that operates at said first transmission rate that transmits data between coupled ones of said plurality of ports at said first transmission rate; a second module that operates at said second transmission rate that transmits data between coupled ones of said plurality of repeater ports at said second transmission rate; and an adaptive interface controller, comprising; a plurality of media independent interface (MII) ports, each coupled to one of said plurality of ports; a plurality of Manchester ports coupled to said first module; an MII interface coupled to said second module; first select logic receiving a plurality of link signals indicative of activity on is a corresponding one of said plurality of MII ports and corresponding rate signals indicative of transmission rate, wherein said first select logic provides data from an active one of said plurality of MII ports for a corresponding one of said plurality of Manchester ports if a corresponding rate signal indicates said first transmission rate and that provides data from said active one of said plurality of MII ports to said MII interface if said corresponding rate signal indicates said second transmission rate; Manchester encoding logic coupled to said plurality of Manchester ports that receives data from said first select logic for an active port, that converts received data to Manchester format and that provides Manchester encoded data to a corresponding one of said plurality of Manchester ports; second select logic that provides data transmitted to said MII interface for said one of said plurality of MII ports; Manchester decoding logic coupled to said plurality of Manchester ports that detects Manchester data transmitted to any of said plurality of Manchester ports and that converts received Manchester encoded data to bit stream serial data; and third select logic coupled to said second select logic and said Manchester decoding logic that receives said plurality of link signals and that provides received data from either one of said Manchester decoding logic and said second logic to a corresponding one of said plurality of MII ports. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification